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 After 31 years in Alaska, the last 14 in Kodiak, we had definite ideas about what we wanted in a retirement area. And good weather was the main one!!
We had looked in other states, but when a convention brought Joanne to Albuquerque, she rented a car and made the loop around New Mexico. She stopped in various towns and picked up brochures and notated the ones that had possibilities. We then sent for more information before narrowing our choice to just a few locations. We wanted a small town with available health care and little traffic. Flights to Seattle for surgery were not fun, and we didn’t want to have to do that again!! The cost of living was a major factor also. So that criteria eliminated most of the northern part of New Mexico, as well as the fact that they also got snow in the winter.
While visiting Carlsbad for the second go-round of site selection, we noticed how very nice the people were. Carlsbad just had a good feeling as well as trees and water. Prior to buying a house, we rented for six months. It was going to be a year, but we decided this was our place before the year was up.
We are volunteers in AARP, Deliver-a Meal and the Horticultural Club. We walk the Ocotillo Trail, and love our house, with a pool, in the park area. Carlsbad is a great place to live and a big difference from Kodiak, Alaska! Richard & Joanne Demke
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 After 50 years in the golf business, my wife and I decided to make a move to an area where the winters were a little warmer, so we could play golf year around. Having played in golf events in Carlsbad we knew the weather was good, but didn’t know if we would enjoy the small town experience. In the past, we had the opportunity to interview for the job of head professional at Riverside Country Club, and were impressed with the people of Carlsbad.
We have always loved New Mexico and that left out retirement to Arizona. When visiting the different areas across the southern part of the state we were especially taken with the river features in Carlsbad and how the city sets itself aside from other communities because of it.
Making the decision to move to Carlsbad became much easier when we met the members of Riverside Country Club and the people of the city. Having been a teacher of golf for over 50 years, I wanted to enjoy the experience of again working with junior golfers. The club has allowed me to do this and we look to bring winning golfers to Carlsbad, as there has been in the past. The civic pride in the high school is very impressive, and this is what you can only enjoy in a smaller town.
My wife is from Hobbs and after many years in the Albuquerque area, getting away from the busy life style has been very enjoyable. It is also nice that within a few hours are the larger shopping venues, which make for fun day trips. Tom & Lee Nielsen
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 After retiring from the Department of Energy after seventeen (17) years, my husband and I contemplated leaving Carlsbad for "Greener Pastures", so we started our search in our RV for the perfect retirement destination. We visited California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and finally Arkansas with the thought always in the back of our minds, what do the cities we visited in these states have that could afford us a happier, fuller retirement. That search started five years ago, and we always came back to New Mexico, specifically Carlsbad. Not only did we find Carlsbad general had a lower cost of living, but, just the natural beauty in and around the city, the friendly people, as well as the excellent climate, and of course, the slower and more relaxed lifestyle, helped us decide Carlsbad truly is "A Place to Call Home", and the greener pastures is right where we were all along. Tomiva and Lila King
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Ken Evans gave up his snow plow, snow shovel, snow tires, and the hustle and bustle of New York City for the warm, dry climate, and slower paced lifestyle of Carlsbad in 1993.
Ken also traded in his position as an auto parts salesman for volunteerism. In the 14 years that Ken has been in Carlsbad, he has been a volunteer with the Carlsbad Medical Center Auxiliary, Living Desert State Park, Jonah’s House, Carlsbad Outreach, Cat’s Meow, and most recently at the Carlsbad Municipal Library and Happy Valley Baptist Church.
Volunteering keeps Ken active and “turns strangers into friends”.
He says that the great people and climate are what he likes most about Carlsbad. He also likes the security of being able to take walks though his neighborhood. "Carlsbad is a wonderful place to settle!" Ken Evans
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 “In 1997 my husband Joe, our son Joseph, and I started out cross country in our RV. We found the “perfect” spot in New Mexico to retire. But, our Lord works in mysterious ways….we soon heard about CARC, Inc. and Washington Ranch (both homes for individuals with developmental disabilities or delays) in Carlsbad. CARC turned out to be the perfect place for our special son Joseph.
We moved to Carlsbad and spent the next couple of years at the Carlsbad RV Park as work campers, while Joseph enjoyed new friends and a job at the CARC, and eventually Washington Ranch.
Six months before my husband Joe’s sudden death in 2006, my mother’s home in Florida was destroyed by hurricane Wilma. Once again, our Lord had a plan…I lost Joe, but my mother moved to Landsun Homes (one of Carlsbad’s two continuous care retirement communities) in Carlsbad. My mother, Mildred Pfeiffer, is now the social butterfly of Landsun! I’m also blessed to have my son Russ and his wife Michelle only living about 30 miles away.
My life, as well as my family, is always busy. My church, Cavern Baptist, has become my second family and I enjoy volunteering my time at the Carlsbad Medical Center, Landsun Homes, and the CARC.
Yes, Carlsbad has been the answer for our family! And, we all enjoy the lovely weather and lifestyle.” Anita Miszlai and family |
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